Is Cannabis Effective in Dealing with Anxiety?

It’s not as straightforward as you might think.

By Dan Reich

Anxiety is one of the most pervasive and hard-to-treat mental health issues of our time. More than 40 million people in America suffer from one or more forms of anxiety, which  can take many guises, from generalized anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder. Panic attacks affect 6 million people, whereas phobias are a problem for more than 19 million. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) manifests itself in 2.5 million, and Social Anxiety Disorder (a spectrum of behaviors from fear of public speaking to agoraphobia) affects the social activity of 15 million. 

Anxiety is generally defined as a sense of unease or foreboding with no easily identifiable cause, or at least one that is insignificant compared to the anxiety response. Anxiety can be a chronic state of worry, or it can be caused by any of several triggers. These can include excessive or unresolved stress, a genetic predisposition to anxiety, an experience of trauma or loss, or a side effect from medication.

Anxiety generally involves feelings of apprehension or worry about events that might occur in the future, whereas fear is a response to an immediate threat, such as an approaching storm or something chasing you. Fear is a normal, healthy biological response…we wouldn’t be here if fear hadn’t enabled our ancestors to escape danger…but anxiety is not nearly as useful. It keeps people from living normal lives, and causes a lot of pain for those affected by it.

Treating anxiety with pharmaceuticals, such as antidepressants, has not been a solution for many. As society begins to embrace alternative therapies, such as cannabis, studies have been undertaken that demonstrate that cannabis could be a good solution for mitigating anxiety. But here is where it gets tricky. THC – the cannabinoid that gets you high – can be effective in small doses, but in larger amounts, can actually cause anxiety. THC has emerged in studies on PTSD as an effective treatment, but it seems to have the most potential when combined with CBD. The two cannabinoids work in concert (the entourage effect) and when CBD is combined with THC, its psychoactive (and anxiety-inducing) properties are minimized.

CBD, on the other hand, has demonstrated that it is an effective anti-anxiety medicine, and is also invaluable in its ability to allow THC to provide therapeutic benefits without making the anxiety worse.

Dosing Is Everything

For those suffering from anxiety who have not tried cannabis to treat it, establishing the right dose is of paramount importance. Conventional wisdom is to start small, and gradually increase the dose. Depending on the type of anxiety, it’s probably best to avoid products that have more THC than CBD to avoid psychoactive side effects. 

Inhalation is the quickest delivery method for cannabinoids as the lungs give immediate access to the blood system.To address acute anxiety or a full blown panic attack vaping or smoking a CBD-rich strain will bring therapeutic relief in seconds. Synergy’s pure extraction vape cartridge CBD:THC 24:1 (#351) is recommended for cessation of anxious symptoms and Synergy has a range of high CBD flowers for conventional smoking.

.A CBD-dominant strain like ACDC in tincture form (CBD;THC 24:1 #100,#101,#102) can offer anti-anxiety benefits without a THC influenced buzz. Containing only trace levels of THC, ACDC uses the force of CBD and terpenes like myrcene to invoke a clear, calm state of mind. If you’re new to cannabis and leery of feeling high, start with ACDC or another CBD-rich strain. If the psychoactivity of THC is helpful. a blended tincture with a low ratio of THC will be mildly psychoactive and can be uplifting and effective. Synergy offers two 4:1 CBD to THC tinctures, Indica dominant (CBD;THC 4:1, #103-#105)  for calming action and Sativa dominant ( CBD:THC 4:1 #116) for uplifting anxiety relief. Both these tinctures are very mildly psychoactive especially at low doses.

For the most tailored and precise dosing tinctures are the best option. Using a sublingual dropper, you can easily manage consistent dosing. Any of our CBD-rich tinctures can be helpful with anxiety, particularly our CBD:CBG blend (CBD:CBG 3:1 #230), which includes a lesser known but powerful cannabinoid (CBG) that is particularly indicated in addressing anxiety.

160# CBD Medley is a blend of 4 CBD -rich strains (ACDC, Valentine X, Electra and  Therapy A. Each strain has its own terpene signature and a blend offers the benefit of an enhanced entourage effect. 

If you are suffering from anxiety and have not obtained the relief you seek, look into cannabis and CBD. It could make all the difference.

Anxiety can also be a triggered response to social pressure, if you suffer from pre-event anxiety, if parties or a dental visit set you on edge CBD will relieve anxious symptoms effectively. 

Before starting a treatment program, it’s best to do so under the supervision of a medical provider. If you would prefer to work with us rather than another provider, we are always available for consultations to develop treatment plans and recommend the most suitable products.

CBD for Health and Recovery

Our understanding of the human body has changed significantly in the last hundred years. Thanks to modern medical science the inner workings of our physiology have been revealed in innumerable ways. Consequently new treatments and interventions have made many chronic conditions either curable or manageable with medication. Treatments for diabetes, cardiovascular dysfunction and cancer have extended life expectancy for many and are part of our common understanding of illness and disease. These days a diagnosis of a heart condition will lead to medication and often surgical intervention instead of inevitable physical decline.

Awareness of how our lifestyles and the choices we make affect our health have also evolved. We understand that too much sugar in our diet will create imbalance and lead to obesity and diabetic conditions, that too much cholesterol will harm our hearts and that too much alcohol will damage our livers. Our belief that exercise is key to our health as well as a good diet and adequate sleep has been reinforced by medical science.

This is the health culture of the present, we strive for moderation to keep ourselves in balance and there is consciousness about lifestyle choices. Many nutrients are recognised as beneficial; vitamins , essential fatty acids, amino acids, fiber are all acknowledged as supplements that support general health. How all this works is less well understood but medical research into cannabinoids has revealed the mechanism of how our bodies maintain balance and health function.

Humans, and all mammals, maintain balance between the integral systems of the body through a homeostatic system known as the ECS (Endogenous Cannabinoid System) Our bodies make our own endocannabinoids from essential fatty acids which moderate endocrine levels and keep our internal systems balanced and regulated. The main source for the production of endocannabinoids comes from omega 6 and omega 3 -rich essential fatty acids, these are ‘essential’ as we cannot produce these compounds ourselves.

The modern western diet is significantly different from our ancestors, for thousands of years the human diet had a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids which came from food which was varied and largely unprocessed, this meant that our intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids was equal, a 1:1 ratio.

Modern diets with high levels of processed oils and sugars has meant that the ratio is very unbalanced, 15:1 is now the norm, this high ratio imbalance promotes the pathogenesis of many diseases; cardiovascular, pulmonary, inflammatory,autoimmune and cancers.

Minimizing our intake of processed oils and sugars which are unhealthy sources of omega-6, and making sure that our diets included omega- 3 rich foods supports production of endocannabinoids.

Plant-based cannabinoids are invaluable as supplements which directly support the functioning of the ECS. Cannabinoids create the same response in ECS receptors as the endocannabinoids our body produces. Supplementary cannabinoid support has been shown in clinical trials to improve omega-6 to omega-3 ratios and reduce chronic conditions.

Research into the prevention of cardiovascular conditions showed a 70% decrease in mortality when omega-6 to omega-3 ratios were reduced to 4:1. Realigning these ratios of fatty acids has been proved to reduce cancerous cell proliferation in colorectal cancer and suppressed inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Using cannabinoids as a healthy supplement to support our ECS bolsters the effects of good diet and adequate exercise, allowing our bodies to function most effectively.

When the body is recovering from disease the ECS is under significant pressure to bring balance back to regain health. Again clinical trial results show us that bones regrow quicker and stronger when cannabinoids are present. CBD which reduces inflammation have been shown to significantly speed up recovery from operations like hip replacement or ACL knee surgery.

A few years ago I had two friends, both women and both in their forties who had the same ACL surgery. One decided to medicate with CBD tincture while the other chose conventional painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. The woman who chose to use CBD used two ounces of CBD tincture and at the end of a month was able to ride her bicycle again. The other friend had a much slower recovery and subsequently needed physical therapy to strengthen her knee.

The science of endocannabinoids and cannabinoids is growing and is still in an evolutionary stage where we have much to learn about functionality. Different cannabinoids are indicated for different conditions, CBD, CBG, CBN, THC and THCV have all been identified as having particular properties and significant overlaps in effectivity.

All the recent and current research points firmly to the understanding that maintaining our ECS with the right nutrients will keep our bodies healthy and balanced. Making sure that the ECS has the cannabinoids that fuel its ability to work is paramount. A balanced diet with a good ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 supports endocannabinoid production and full spectrum cannabinoid supplement like CBD-rich tincture or infused oil is an additional support to your endocannabinoid system.

CBD and Autoimmune Disease Management

Autoimmune disorders manifest in many different forms from a mild case of psoriasis to the profound symptoms of full blown rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Some autoimmune disorders attack one organ or system while others attack the whole body. Whatever the autoimmune dysfunction is, the basic situation is the same: the immune system incorrectly identifies healthy cells as foreign invaders, viruses or bacteria, and attacks them, causing damage and creating wide-ranging symptoms including pain, inflammation, fatigue, nausea, migraine, lack of appetite etc.

There is no single definitive cause of autoimmune disease, certainly genetics, diet, chronic stress and environmental contamination have been identified as stressors of the immune system’s ability to function.

The conventional treatment for autoimmune conditions is immunosuppressive drugs, which decrease the immune system’s responses. This immune system modulation stops the immune system from over responding but also weakens the system’s ability to fight off real threats.

Since the discovery of the ECS ( Endocannabinoid System) the system regulating intrinsic homeostasis, medical research has identified a condition which is a precursor to autoimmune dysfunction. This is CECD (Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency) where the body is not producing enough endocannabinoids to ensure balance in the body's organs and systems. This in turn leads to faulty messages to the immune system which then sends an unnecessary response expressed as autoimmune dysfunction.

Medical science has shown that CBD reduces inflammation and supports healthy production of endocannabinoids. This means that autoimmune sufferers will benefit in two distinct ways from CBD medication. To simplify the process, CBD is received by CB1 and CB2 receptors which are situated throughout the body, present in every organ and system, including the immune system. When CBD connects with these ECS receptors an immunosuppressant message is sent to overactive sites. The substitution of plant-based cannabinoids where endocannabinoids are scarce stimulates the anti-inflammatory response. This reaction can be very swift, relieving inflammatory pain very quickly.

Treating autoimmune conditions with CBD is not just a ‘quick fix’ solution for inflammatory pain, plant-based cannabinoids also stimulate the ECS to create more endocannabinoids itself to act on the intrinsic deficiencies. Also CBD inhibits the enzyme which breaks down endocannabinoids meaning there are more cannabinoids circulating in the body for a longer period of time. The ECS does not store endocannabinoids or cannabinoids; rather it utilizes them on demand, responding to the needs of the body. This is why plant-based cannabinoids like CBD are so effective and quick-acting.

Many sufferers of autoimmune disorders have found relief from symptoms and a substantial decline in flare-ups of symptoms by using CBD as part of their health regime. Extremely painful diseases like Multiple Sclerosis have been shown to be very responsive to cannabinoid therapy. Synergy member Leenie shared her journey from debilitating MS symptoms back to many years of active life here.

Leenie’s testimony to the healing power of cannabinoids reminds us of how many cannabinoids there are and how far we still have to go in terms of clinical research to discover all of the benefits.

Experimenting with different cannabinoid blends have proved effective for Leenie in large part because of her careful attention to dosage and effect.

There are so many constituents in every cannabis strain, not only cannabinoids but also terpenes and flavonoids which all elicit their own unique effects. Synergy Wellness products focus on full spectrum extracts so that the entourage effect of all the intrinsic constituents of the plant are present.

At Synergy we encourage patients with autoimmune conditions to experiment with cannabinoid medicine in different ratios of CBD/THC and other cannabinoids of note. Recently a member suffering from acute rheumatoid arthritis inflammation added Black Beauty THCV-rich tincture to her daily CBD tincture and salve, 5 drops had her pain eradicated and sustained by an extra 5 drop doses when the pain started to come back.

Anecdotal accounts of relief from eczema and psoriasis using CBD-rich salve alongside arthritic pain relief from salve application shows a clear connection between surface and internal inflammation from topical medication.

The perceived science of medicating autoimmune disorders vacillates between suppressing overactive immune response and encouraging healthy immune response. Cannabinoids work in the same way as endocannabinoids, redressing balance wherever it is needed. This is the underlying logic of why CBD treatments cause symptoms to abate and even be eradicated by correcting imbalances. Using CBD as a daily supplement has proved valuable in keeping autoimmune symptoms at bay.